12/22/10

There is a special time of year that people around the world hold dear in their hearts. A time to which children look forward with near-crippling anticipation. A time about which normally well-behaved adults can hardly contain themselves. I refer, of course, to the time when everyone, regardless of race, color, or creed, loads up Wired For Music to hear the annual Holiday Music That Doesn't Suck playlist. Well folks, brace yourselves - because that time is now.

Enjoy, and don't miss the special links section at the end! As always, please tell me in the comments what you're listening to this holiday season, and have a happy New Year and whatever else you're celebrating this month.

12/20/10

Here it is, folks: the (no doubt) eagerly-awaited final song of my 2010 Holiday EP! This one is a medley of some of my favorite Xmas tunes. I'm pretty sure this is the type of thing that gets played at robot holiday parties.

Fun fact #1: The sound of this song was inspired by the Wendy Carlos's incredible soundtrack for A Clockwork Orange.

Fun fact #2: All 3 songs on my Holiday EP are in C major! Good times.

Enjoy, and stay tuned for this year's Holiday Music That Doesn't Suck (TM) playlist, coming very soon!

12/14/10

After the massive success of my last holiday tune, I couldn't resist trying my hand at another. This time around, I've chosen "Frosty The Snowman," written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins in 1950. The song, as you already know, is about a group of unruly children who are dabbling in the black arts. They manage to create a hideous snow zombie who is tragically and painfully aware of his own mortality and the ever-present threat of the bright, hot sun.

That's what I was thinking of when I recorded my version, which is decidedly less jolly than my previous effort.

12/10/10

Every year, the powers that be behind February Album Writing Month (FAWM) put together a CD of the songs from that year that they feel "best represent this year's FAWM" (as opposed to being a "best-of" compilation). FAWM participants listen to the submitted tracks and vote and write comments for them, then that data is collected and the man at the top picks the final 14 tracks that will go on the CD.

Well, as you've probably guessed since I'm writing about it....one of my tracks got selected!!! The track is called "How Does It Feel?" and you can listen to it below. This marks the second compilation that this track has ended up on this year, and I couldn't be more excited.

I'll be posting here when the CD is available - please support FAWM and independent artists (though I don't believe the artists actually get any money, I think it all goes back into running FAWM, which is a non-profit) by buying/downloading it from iTunes when it comes out!

12/2/10

As you know if you happen to read my blog or live with me, I love holiday music. And by "holiday," I mean "songs that are mostly relevant during December." So I decided it was finally time to add my own voice (literally) to the canon, and contribute a holiday song of my own. For my first one, I went with a cover of one of my favorite winter-themed songs, "Let It Snow" by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne.

I love this song because it's really just about a guy trying to get busy with his special lady while the snow comes down outside. It's playful, without getting into "Baby, It's Cold Outside"-style creepy coercion tactics.

I set out to record a normal, traditional, non-roboty version. I wasn't going to put in any weird drum breaks or electronic noises or 80s hip-hop beats or anything. I wasn't even going to throw in teases of 2 other holiday songs. I swear. I really wasn't. But apparently, I gotta be me. So instead of playing by the rules I had set down for myself when I started, I let myself have fun, and I'm really happy with the result. I hope you like it, too.

PS Big thanks to Amanda for listening to this ~100 times and giving me some great feedback. Never underestimate the usefulness of a good editor.

Why?

This is my place to rant, rave, gush, and whatever other verbs come to mind about the music I love, and the technology I use to find/listen to/share it. It's also a place for me to post my own musical creations for all to enjoy.